Wrench



April 18, 1967 J. M. ASHLEY 3,314,317

, WRENCH Filed Feb. 16, 1966 INVENTOR.

@22 James M. Ash/g9 fomgs United States Patent This invention relates to a wrench and more particularly to a wrench for applying torque to an article, such as a pipe and the like.

Brief summary of invention A wrench embodying a first gripping member having a gripping surface and a socket-like member adjacent one end thereof in spaced relation to the gripping surface. A second gripping member is adjustably connected to the first gripping member intermediate the socket-like member and the gripping surface and an actuating lever is connected to the socket-like member by a ratchet and pawl unit.

An object of my invention is to provide a wrench of the character designated in which a tight grip is maintained on the article at all times whereby there is no loss of grip which would require regrippin-g the article and taking up lost motion between the clamping elements of the wrench and the article engaged thereby.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wrench of the character designated which shall be particularly adapted to apply torque to an article located in a position that is dificult to reach.

A further object of my invention is to provide a wrench of the character designated which shall be adapted for use in combination with a pawl and ratchet unit whereby torque may be applied to rotate the article selectively in opposite directions.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wrench of the character designated which shall be extremely simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which lends itself to mass production.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, it is difiicult to apply torque to an elongated article, such as pipe and the like, due to the fact that relatively long actuating arms are rigidly connected to the tool whereby the tool is rotated an angular distance by rotating the arm whereupon the arm is then returned to its original position, thus losing the grip between the tool and the article. Accordingly, it is necessary to regrip the article and then take up the slack between the clamping elements of the tool and the article being rotated. Not only does this require a substantial amount of time and effort on the part of the operator, but the article is often damaged dne to the fact that the article is regripped several times during each revolution of the article. Also, with conventional type tools for applying torque to pipe-like members, it is difficult to position the tool in proper relation relative to the article due to the fact that the long actuating arm is often in position to strike an adjacent object which prevents rotation thereof.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a chain-type wrench embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmental, sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a fragmental, perspective view showing the actuating mechanism for the wrench; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing a modified form of my invention, the actuating mechanism being omitted.

Referring now to the drawing for a better urrderstand ing of my invention, I show a first article engaging member having a serrated surface 11 which is adapted to engage an article, such as a pipe 12. Connected to the article engaging member 10 inwardly of one end thereof by a bolt 13 is one end of a chain-like member 14. The other end of the article engaging member 10 is detachably connected to the chain-like member 14 at selected positions along the chain-like member whereby the effective length of the chain-like member may be varied. That is, outwardly opening recesses 16 are provided in the other end of the article engaging member 10 in position to receive selected ones of the transverse pins 17 which pivotally connect the individual links of the chain-like member to each other. Preferably, the article engaging member 10 is provided with an outwardly opening recess 18, as shown in FIG. 1, for receiving the chain-like member 14. The outwardly opening recess 18 thus defines laterally spaced end projections 19 which carry the recesses 16 for receiving the transverse pin 17. As shown in FIG. 1, the inner surface of the article engaging member 10 is curved is so constructed that upon rotation of the article engaging member 10 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, the chain-like member 14 grips the article 12. On the other hand, upon rotation of the article engaging member 10 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, the pipe 12 is released.

The article engaging member 10 is provided with an outwardly projecting end portion 21 which carries a socket member indicated generally at 22. Outwardly opening recesses 23 and 24 are provided in opposite sides of the socket member 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the recess or socket 23 is larger the socket 24 whereby the sockets are adapted to receive different size actuating members and at the same time the actuating member may be attached at either side of the socket member 22.

The actuating member indicated at 26 may be in the form of an elongated lever arm 27 having a laterally extending detent 28 at one end thereof which is of the size to extend within and engage the socket 23 with a non-rotatable fit whereby upon rotation of the actuating member 26, rotary motion is imparted to the article engaging member 10 and the chain-like member 14 carried thereby. Preferably, the actuating member 26 is provided with a conventional type ratchet and pawl unit indicated general-1y at 29 between the detent 28 and the lever arm 27 whereby the detent 28 may be rotated selectively in opposite directions in a manner well understood in the art.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 will be readily understood. The chain-like member 14 is positioned around the pipe 12 and drawn tight. The pin 17 adjacent the recesses 16 is then positioned within the recesses 16 to detachably connect the chain 14 to the end portions 19 of the member 10. The detent 28 of the actuating member 26 is inserted in the socket 23 and the ratchet and pawl unit 29 is set whereby rotary motion is imparted to the member 10 upon moving the handle 27 in a counter-clockwise direction. Accordingly, the article engaging member 10 is rotated as the handle 27 is moved in a counterclockwise direction. After the handle 27 has been moved an angular distance, the handle 27 may be then rotated in a clockwise direction relative to the member 10 without losing the grip between the member 19 and the pipe 12. Accordingly, continuous rotary motion may be imparted to the pipe 10 without losing the grip between the wrench and the pipe 12.

In FIG. 4 of the drawing, I show a modified form of my invention in which a pipe Wrench indicated generally at 31 is adapted to engage the article 12, such as a pipe. The wrench is provided with a first article engaging memher and a gripping jaw 14 which is adjustably connected to the member 10 as shown in FIG. 4 in a manner well understood in the art. Instead of providing the usual long handle for the wrench 31, I provide a socket member 22 on the article engaging member 10 The socket 22 is provided with a socket 23 which is adapted to receive the detent 28 described hereinabove whereby upon rotating the actuating member 26, rotary motion is imparted to the wrench 31. Accordingly, the grip between the wrench and the article 12 is not lost as the actuating member 26 is rotated as described hereinabove.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved wrench having an actuating member therefor which permits rotation of the article without losing the grip between the Wrench and the article. Also, by providing a socket member for the wrench which may be detachably connected to the actuatin member, conventional type actuating members may be employed in association with my improved wrench. Furthermore, by providing oppositely disposed openings in opposite sides of the socket member, the actuating member may be attached at either side of the socket and different size detents 28 may be employed.

While I have shown my invention in but two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

In a wrench for applying torque to an article:

(a) a first gripping member having an article engaging surface thereon and a socket-like member adjacent one end thereof in spaced relation to said article engaging surface,

(b) a second gripping member adjustably connected to said first gripping member intermediate said socketlike member and said article engaging surface in position to engage and grip an article between said first and second gripping members with said socket-like member positioned outwardly of said second gripping member and the article gripped between said first and second gripping members, whereby said second gripping member is tightened about said article upon rotating said first gripping member in one direction,

(c) a ratchet and pawl unit detacliably connected to said socket-like member, and

(d) an actuating lever operatively connected to said ratchet and pawl unit to apply torque to said first gripping member and the article gripped between said first and second gripping members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 107,304 9/1870 Stillson 81167 2,825,253 3/1958 Brenner 8168 2,921,489 1/1960 Schweitzer 81-69 2,944,452 7/1960 Vose 81-68 JAMES M. I ONES, JR., Primary Examiner. 

